ML20214A653
| ML20214A653 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/17/1986 |
| From: | Baer R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | Beck E MSA RESEARCH CORP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8611200178 | |
| Download: ML20214A653 (4) | |
Text
f NOV 171956 Mr. Eric Beck Product Line Manager 600 Penn Central Building 1 Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Gentlemen:
SUBJECT:
DRAFT IE INFORMATION NOTICE, " RESPIRATOR COUPLING NUT ASSEMBLY FAILURES" The enclosed draft information notice is being considered for issuance to all nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license or construction permit, as well as other nuclear facilities.
Because your company is specifi-cally identified in the notice, we would appreciate your review of the facts presented.
If the information presented is incorrect or there is additional information pertinent to the discussion, we would appreciate your comments.
Any comments received prior to November 28, 1986 will be considered in prepara-tion of the final version.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and effort in this matter.
Sincerely, Original Signed by Robert L. Baer Robert L. Baer, Chief Engineering and Generic Communications Branch Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Enclosure:
Draft Information Notice Distribution:
JMTaylor RWStarostecki ELJordan SASchwartz RLBaer JEWigginton RLPedersen JGPartlow BKGrimes RFHeishman
, PDR,,,
3DCS4.
DEPER'R/F EGCB R/F RLPedersen R/F DEPER:IE C: GCB:DEPER:IE RLPedersen RLBaer 11/p/86 11/j7/86 86112001788611g7, PDR 40EEOGWh M I g
SSINS No.: 6835 IN 86-XX UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 November, 1986 IE INFORMATION NOTICE N0. 86-XX:
RESPIRATOR COUPLING NUT ASSEMBLY FAILURES Addressees:
All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license or a con-struction pennit and fuel fabrication facilities.
Purpose:
The purpose of this information notice is two-fold. This notice is primarily being issued to alert recipients to a mechanical failure of coupling nut assemblies used with MSA respirators. A secondary purpose is to correct erroneous statements in IE IN 86-46.
It is expected that recipients will review the information for applicability as their respiratory protection program and consider actions, if appropriate, to preclude similar problems at their facility.
However, suggestions contained in this notice do not consti-tute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Discussion:
IE Information Notice 86-46 " Improper Cleaning and Decontamination of Respira-tor Protection Equipment." issued June 12, 1986 discussed how exposure to organic solvents produces cracking in plastic coupling nut assemblies on MSA respirators. This office has received several comments that IE IN 86-46 incorrectly stated that the coupling nuts are used with the ultra-twin respira-tors. A check with MSA indicated that the coupling nut assembly (MSA Part
- 96547) is used with the ULTRA-VIEW (MSA Part 0
) face piece not the ultra-twin.
Subsequent to the discovery of the cracking problem noted in IE 1086-46,MSA redesigned these coupling nut assemblies. The new design is supplied by MSA under the same part number as the old design.
This re-design has not been completely successful.
Recently the Pilgrim Station has reported that several of the new design coupling nut assemblies have failed during mask removal.
When the mask is removed by grasping the filter housing, the new design appears to concentrate the force onto the coupling assembly sealing flange. This leads to mechanical failure of the sealing flange resulting in the filter (with the nut attached) separating from the mask. As stated in IE IN 86-46 this coupling nut is also used to connect the Ultra-View face piece to the air supply hose of an MSA self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
It is unclear whether the SCBA hose correction can produce the mechanical leverage necessary to break the coupling assembly seal flange; however, a damaged coupling assembly failing under use could lead to a life threatening situation for the wearer.
It would be prudent to use only the original design coupling nuts with SCBAs.
MSA is currently redesigning the coupling nut assembly to eliminate the failure mechanism noted by Pilgrim.
In the interim, they have replaced the faulty coupling nuts from Pilgrim with the original-designed style.
Licensees experi-encing problems with these coupling nuts should contact Eric Beck, Product-line Manager, MSA Pittsburgh PA, at (412) 273-5194.
IN 86-XX November, 1986 Page of No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional office or this office.
Edward L. Jordan, Director Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement Technical Contacts:
Roger L. Pedersen, IE (301) 492-9425 James E. Wigginton, 'E (301) 492-4967
Attachment:
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices D:DEPER:IE ELJordan 11/
/86 s
DEPER:IE DEPER:IE PSB:IE DEPER:IE DEPER:IE DD:DEPER:IE i
RLPedersen AWDromerick DGable RLBaer JERosenthal SASchwartz 11/ /86 11/ /86 11/ /86 11/ /86 11/ /86
/ /86